Medication Mastery

Key Facts about Immune Modulators, Antihistamines, and Blood Pressure Medications

• Immune modulators, such as hydroxychloroquine and mycophenolate mofetil, are used to treat conditions like rheumatoid arthritis and prevent organ rejection.
• Hydroxychloroquine was previously thought to be effective against COVID-19, but it has been found to be ineffective.
• Hydroxychloroquine works by increasing the pH in parasites to interfere with the degradation of hemoglobin in the blood.
• Mycophenolate mofetil is converted to mycophenolic acid, which inhibits an enzyme required for DNA synthesis in B and T-cells, leading to a decreased immune response.
• Both hydroxychloroquine and mycophenolate mofetil can cause gastrointestinal upset and other side effects.
• Calcineurin inhibitors, such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus, work by inhibiting a protein needed for the production of interleukin-2, which activates T-cell maturation.
• Cyclosporine is used to treat dry eyes, while tacrolimus is used to prevent organ rejection.
• Tacrolimus has an increased risk of cancer and infections, and it should be avoided with grapefruit and live vaccines.
• Immune modulators, like imiquimod, stimulate the immune response and are used to treat conditions like genital warts and skin cancer.
• Antihistamines, such as azelastine and olopatadine, block histamine receptors or prevent histamine release, reducing inflammation and allergic symptoms.
• Leukotriene receptor antagonists, like montelukast, block leukotriene receptors to prevent airway edema, muscle contractions, and inflammation in asthma and allergic rhinitis.
• Blood pressure medications, including ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, diuretics, beta-blockers, and A2 agonists, work by different mechanisms to lower blood pressure and manage cardiovascular conditions.